Marvel Puts Shang Chi In DreamWorks' Hands

New Marvel Comics-derived project THE HANDS OF SHANG CHI has been set at DreamWorks according to VARIETY. DreamWorks' spokesperson confirms that BAND OF BROTHERS writer Bruce McKenna is doing the script to be directed by Woo-ping Yuen, renowned for his choreography on THE MATRIX and CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON films. Set in China, the movie is about a young kung fu mast master who learns his father is the worst criminal in the world and does not want to follow in his footsteps, which makers are calling THE GODFATHER in reverse. DreamWorks' head of production Michael De Luca said he and Marvel's Avi Arad hope to replicate THE BLADE success of turning an unknown strip into a cutting-edge franchise with a visually distinctive style at a reasonable cost. DreamWork's did not disclose if any VFX houses are attached yet. Marvel has a rash of pics in the works including GHOST RIDER and THE PUNISHER.